Proposed rule
Rulemaking contact:
David Waltz, 503-432-7196
DEQ is conducting a rulemaking to establish Total Maximum Daily Loads to address the impairments to water quality standards and beneficial uses in surface waters in the Upper Yaquina River Watershed. These impairments are caused by excess bacteria and inadequate dissolved oxygen (due to excess solar radiation and phosphorus) and are addressed by identifying and quantifying sources of these pollutants. This rule will also establish a water quality management plan that includes pollutant management strategies, a list of parties responsible for developing management plans and implementing strategies, and a timeline to reduce pollutant loads and attain water quality standards.
The Upper Yaquina River Watershed is located in the Mid Coast Basin. For more information, please visit DEQ's
Upper Yaquina Watershed TMDLs Project web page.
In February 2022, the Environmental Quality Commission adopted Oregon Administrative Rules amendments to allow adoption of TMDLs as rules, as well as issued by order, in alignment with authorities in Oregon Revised Statutes. For more information about that rulemaking process, please visit DEQ's rulemaking web page.
DEQ is convening an advisory committee to review the technical issues and fiscal impacts related to the proposed rules. In convening this committee, DEQ has appointed members that reflect the range of entities that are both directly and indirectly affected by proposed changes to the rules.
Meeting 3: March 22, 2023
Meeting 2: Oct. 19, 2022
Meeting 1: Aug. 25, 2022